Direct School Admission 2026

Primary Six pupils with talents in leadership, performing arts, STEM, media, or Tamil Language can apply for DSA at Riverside Secondary. Applications open from 6 May 2026.

Last updated 6 June 2026

2026 Direct School Admission

(For admission to Secondary One in 2027)

If you are a Primary Six pupil, you can be considered for DSA if you are talented in one of the following DSA talent areas:

DSA Main Category

S/N	DSA Main Category	DSA Talent Area (offered in Riverside Secondary)	Programmes, activities and/or opportunities that students can expect to participate in for each talent area
1	Leadership and Uniformed Groups	Leadership and Character	Students will: • Develop leadership competencies to model, inspire, challenge and enable others to act. • Have the opportunities to be systematically developed through the Riverside leadership curriculum. • Have the opportunities to initiate, lead, plan and execute cohort and school-based projects. • Learn to influence others positively for a shared goal both in the school and in the community.
2	Language and Humanities	Tamil Language	Students will: • Develop and showcase their diverse talents and to build their interests in different fields of Tamil Arts and Literature such as writing, acting, short-film-making etc. • Have the opportunities to take part in external competitions.
3	Performing Arts	• Choir • Concert Band	Students will: • Develop and deepen their knowledge and skills in their talent areas. • Represent the school at competitions. • Participate in school and external events. • Attend workshops.
4	Visual Arts, Design and Media	Media	Students will: • Hone their skills in photography and videography. • Represent the school at competitions. • Attend workshops. • Support major school events.
5	Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)	Environmental Science Robotics	Students will: • Enhance their coding literacy. • Develop problem-solving skills and design solutions to real-world problems. • Be developed as stewards of environment and changemakers in sustainability. • Represent the school at conferences and competitions. • Demonstrate leadership capabilities.

Selection Criteria and Process

DSA Main Category

DSA Main Category	DSA Talent Area	Selection Criteria	Selection Process
Leadership and Uniformed Groups	Leadership and Character	• Applicant must hold leadership roles, for e.g., prefects and CCA leaders, in his/her primary school, and has led school projects. The school will refer to: • School reports - Academic ability and conduct indicated in school reports and other specific teacher reports. • Any other student leadership-related records of participation and level of representation.	• Interview: in-person - Assessment of attitude and aptitude
Language and Humanities	Tamil Language	• Applicant must be able to demonstrate strong interest and talent beyond the abilities of students in the same age group and have a history of consistent high academic achievements in Higher Tamil Language. The school will refer to: • School reports - Academic ability and conduct indicated in school reports and other specific teacher reports. • Accomplishment - Evidence in the form of awards or experiences in relevant contexts (e.g. competitions at national level) or any equivalent demonstration of talent.	• Interview: in-person - On-site written assessment - Assessment of attitude and aptitude
Performing Arts	• Choir • Concert Band	• Applicant must be able to demonstrate strong interest and talent in music beyond the abilities of students in the same age group. The school will refer to: • School reports - Academic ability and conduct indicated in school reports and other specific teacher reports. • Qualification(s) in music, e.g., relevant certificates (if any). • Accomplishment - Evidence in the form of awards, performances, competitions (e.g. SYF) or experiences in relevant contexts.	• Audition and interview: in-person - On-site performance assessment - Demonstration of aptitude and potential - Assessment of attitude and suitability
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)	Environmental Science Robotics	• Applicant must be able to demonstrate strong interest and talent in areas of STEM (e.g. programming, Math and Science), beyond the abilities of students in the same age group. The school will refer to: • School reports - Academic ability and conduct indicated in school reports and other specific teacher reports. • Qualification(s) in STEM related e.g. relevant certificates (if any). • Accomplishment - Evidence in the form of awards or experiences in relevant contexts such as STEM competitions or projects in school/external events (if any).	• Audition and interview: in-person - On-site assessment - Demonstration of aptitude and potential - Assessment of attitude and suitability

Please note that meeting all the criteria does not guarantee the student will be shortlisted/given an offer.

Applicants who do not have prior experience may also apply. The school will assess applicants based on the selection criteria, which may include assessing the potential of the applicants.

You will receive notification from the school by 17 Jul 2026, if your child has been shortlisted to undergo Direct School Admission (DSA) selection. All applicants will receive their application outcomes between 24 Aug and 28 Aug 2026.

More detailed information will be uploaded closer to the date.
Application for DSA-Sec will be through the online DSA-Sec Portal.
The application is free-of-charge.
For more details, please refer to MOE website – https://www.moe.gov.sg/dsa-sec

DSA Timeline

Event & Timelines

Event	Date
DSA Application	6 May 2026, 11am - 2 Jun 2026, 4:30pm
Shortlisting • Applicants will be notified via email.	By 17 Jul 2026
Selection • Auditions / interviews for short-listed applicants.	22 Jul 2026 - 6 Aug 2026
Selection Outcome • Audition / interview results will be notified to applicants via email.	24 Aug - 28 Aug 2026
School Preference Submission	End Oct 2026
DSA Allocation Outcome	End Nov 2026

For further enquiries, you may contact us at riverside_ss@moe.edu.sg or +65 6269 9631 (General Office).